Contraception Reviews

Male condom vs Combination birth control pill

Male condom

Want to switch birth control?

Combination birth control pill

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 4.0

5 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

87% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

143 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Male condom ingredients

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis during sex.

Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

40% no impact on mood

Bleeds

40% spotting

Sex drive

80% no impact

Weight

100% no impact

Skin

60% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Mood

27% no impact on mood

Bleeds

33% lighter periods

Sex drive

37% no impact

Weight

43% no impact

Skin

40% improved skin

Cycle return

35% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Protects against STDs

Non-hormonal

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Male condom reviews

5 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Jul 25

Male condom  

I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had an insane allergic reaction due to these condoms :( very sad

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Apr 25

Male condom  


Improved skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25

Male condom  

No changes


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Jul 25

Male condom  

I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had an insane allergic reaction due to these condoms :( very sad


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Apr 25

Male condom  


Improved skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25

Male condom  

No changes


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Combination birth control pill reviews

143 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
14 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Tri Lo Mili birth control pill  

I started taking this pill for painful period cramps and it has worked wonders! My period is more regular as well and shorter and less painful. My skin cleared up really well the only problem i have is the migraines and my blood sugar. The migraines are very painful but only last a few minutes luckily and since started taking the pill my blood sugar sky rockets or falls rather quickly.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Mili birth control pill  

I really enjoy taking this brand. It still feels like I am me at the end of the day and I’m in control of my emotions and not hindered by excessive hormones.


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Vienva birth control pill  

Omg the lower back pain and the leg pain was unreal. I thought something was very very wrong with me but when I stopped taking this is went away.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
14 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Tri Lo Mili birth control pill  

I started taking this pill for painful period cramps and it has worked wonders! My period is more regular as well and shorter and less painful. My skin cleared up really well the only problem i have is the migraines and my blood sugar. The migraines are very painful but only last a few minutes luckily and since started taking the pill my blood sugar sky rockets or falls rather quickly.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Mili birth control pill  

I really enjoy taking this brand. It still feels like I am me at the end of the day and I’m in control of my emotions and not hindered by excessive hormones.


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Vienva birth control pill  

Omg the lower back pain and the leg pain was unreal. I thought something was very very wrong with me but when I stopped taking this is went away.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Lo Loestrin Fe birth control pill  

I went on this pill for pre-menopause symptoms that were driving me crazy (hot flashes, really bad sleep disruptions). It worked really well, but there was one side effect that I couldn't handle. I couldn't wear my contacts anymore, and my eyes were always really dry and itchy. When I tried to wear my contacts, they would get a film on them after only and hour or two of wearing, which would make it seem like I was looking through a mist, and lights had halos around them, which made night driving totally unsafe. If it wasn't for that I'd still be taking them. I really liked how much lighter and shorter my period was while I was on it, because my normal period was really heavy and and crampy and lengthy.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Mar 26

Nextstellis pill  

Pretty good but negativity effects mood.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Mar 26

Portia birth control pill  

I was fine when I started taking it last month until I had break through bleeding that is going on for 3 weeks. The pads are becoming irritating.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Mar 26

Tri Lo Mili birth control pill  

it’s making me sad and angry and anxious all the time. i’m also cramping more then usual.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Feb 26

Yaz birth control pill  

The loss of sex drive and vaginal dryness is affecting my relationship


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
15 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Feb 26

Nikki birth control pill  

The head aches are not to bad but the font go away with meds


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Jan 26

Loryna birth control pill  

This birth control has been GAME CHANGER for me. My periods are almost non-existent, seriously, so light I barely notice! My cramps are also almost NEVER there when my period comes. Before, I would have crippling pain and a heavy, inconsistent period. In the first month or two of taking the pill, I did notice a frequent occurrence of headaches, but nothing major or unbearable. Also, no weight gain!! I used to occasionally have acne, but that seems completely gone now too. I do feel my mood has improved considerably as well. Endlessly grateful for this pill, I hope it works for many others when they try it!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Male condom with other birth control

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